Improvement in artificial legs



c. COLLINS.

ARTIFICIAL-LEG.

No 193,396. Patented July 24,1877.

INVENTQB: M

N. FEYERS. PHOTO-LITHOGRAPMER. WASHINGTON. D 2.

FFICE.

OORNELIOUS COLLINS, OF ALBIA, IOWA.

IMPROVEMENT IN ARTIFICIAL LEGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 193,396, dated July 24, 1877; application filed J une 25, 1877.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, Continuous Counts, of Albia, in the county of Monroe and State of Iowa, have invented a new and Improved Artificial Leg, of which the following is a specification The present invention relates to improvements upon that class of artificial legs shown in a patent granted jointly to myself and to J. H. McUalla, September 28, 1875, No. 168,140; and the invention consists in a novel construction of the ankle-joint, whereby a perfectly free articulation is allowed without noise, as will be hereinafter more fully described, and then pointed out in the claim.

In the annexed drawing, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved limb. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the limb. Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the foot.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The letter A designates the thigh-socket; B, the lower-leg section; 0, the ankle-block, and D E the two sections forming the foot.

The thighsocket is formed of stout leather, which is carefully crimped upon a form made from a cast of the natural limb. This socket A has rigidly secured to it two metal straps, a a, which are pivoted at b to metal straps c, that are rigidly secured to the lower leg B and ankle block (J. The section B is made of leather criniped upon a former, and suitably secured to the block 0.

The lower end of the block (3 is curved, as shown, leaving a reduced bearing, which will allow a free motion of the foot forward and backward, as well as laterally. The front concave surface of the block 0 rests upon a cushion, d, and is held down thereon by means of ajoint, 5, formed of two bolts, 0 e. The joint thus formed will allow free play, and the cushion d will prevent shocks in walking.

In rear of the joint 2' is a hook, G, which is connected by an eye-joint with a bolt, f, fixed into the block 0. The hook Gr entersa recess made through the foot-section D, and engages loosely with a pin, j, fixed into this section. This hook-joint also allows the foot to articulate forward and backward, as well as laterally.

The bottom of section D is arched out and the space filled with hair, or some other suitable material which will prevent noise in walking and afford elasticity. The cushion thus formed is covered with a piece, P, of leather, which forms-the joint for the front section E. A flat india-rubber key, is, and a spring, 8, complete the toe-joint. In practice I shall inclose the foot and ankle in an india-rubber skin.

Fig. 2 shows a spring, T, connecting the thigh and lower-leg sections. This knee-spring is a strong strip of india-rubber, fastened in such manner that it will act to straighten the leg when flexed.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- The combination of the hook G and pin j with the ankle-block U, foot-section D, linkjoint 'i, and rubber cushion d, substantially as herein set forth.

GORNELIOUS COLLINS.

Witnesses:

THos H. ELDER, W. R. KELSEY. 

